3.2 Malnutrition in early life and industrialised countries suggest that about 22 million children under ge or 5 years are According to WHO estimates, approximately one third of the world's children suffer from protein-energy malnutrition Overweight in childhood has been linked to such factors as physical activity caused by long periods of TV watching. Over one third of itamin and other nutritional deficiencies may lead to adult diseases overweight children carry obesity into adulthood, thus increasing their like blindness, anaemia, bone disease, and brain damage. lodine risk of developing cardiovascular disease and diabetes deficiency in childhood may lead to learning difficulties, which can be improved by iodine supplementation. Low weight gain in childhood, Reducing childhood obesity through articularly during the first year of life, has been found to be associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes in adulthood e interventions aimed both at obese children and their parents(i.e It is also linked to changes relating to the ageing process, including provision of information about nutritional value of food stuffs and cataract, lower hearing acuity, and reduced muscle strength ccurate labelling of products Malnutrition in childhood increases the risk of acquiring infectious introduction of health promotion activities, which encourage physical diseases, particularly respiratory and diarrhoeal infections, which activity at home and in schools contribute to chronic disease in adult life(chapter 6) education of clinicians to identify overweight children and advise on Improving childhood nutrition through weight reduction measures integrated social policies to improve nutrition in childhood, as food 3.4 Childhood infections security and nutrition are linked to the economic development of countries and individuals Infections in early childhood are common and often preventable. It is providing nutritional information through educational by social estimated that at least 2 million children die each year from infections workers, midwives, health visitors, school environments, and the for which vaccines are available. In those who survive infectious diseases may lead to chronic disorders in later life which can result in premature media death. This is due to both the persistence of the pathogen in the body e early recognition of malnutrition, particularly in underserved rural and the structural and functional impact of infection on the human body Numerous studies have shown that respiratory infections in childhood may determine susceptibility to chronic bronchitis in adult life; children fortification of foods and/or water with micronutrients with poor lung growth before birth are particularly affected. These harmft effects are later magnified by adverse adult life style factors, such 3.3 Childhood obesity smoking and indoor pollution. While undernutrition and malnutrition persist, childhood obesity is Diarrhoeal disease, while often preventable, is common in children increasingly emerging as a global problem. Recent data from developing particularly in developing co H early 20% 88 3.2 Malnutrition in early life According to WHO estimates, approximately one third of the world’s children suffer from protein-energy malnutrition. Vitamin and other nutritional deficiencies may lead to adult diseases like blindness, anaemia, bone disease, and brain damage. Iodine deficiency in childhood may lead to learning difficulties, which can be improved by iodine supplementation. Low weight gain in childhood, particularly during the first year of life, has been found to be associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes in adulthood. It is also linked to changes relating to the ageing process, including cataract, lower hearing acuity, and reduced muscle strength. Malnutrition in childhood increases the risk of acquiring infectious diseases, particularly respiratory and diarrhoeal infections, which contribute to chronic disease in adult life (chapter 6). Improving childhood nutrition through l integrated social policies to improve nutrition in childhood, as food security and nutrition are linked to the economic development of countries and individuals l providing nutritional information through educational by social workers, midwives, health visitors, school environments, and the media l early recognition of malnutrition, particularly in underserved rural and poor urban areas l fortification of foods and/or water with micronutrients 3.3 Childhood obesity While undernutrition and malnutrition persist, childhood obesity is increasingly emerging as a global problem. Recent data from developing and industrialised countries suggest that about 22 million children under the age of 5 years are overweight. Overweight in childhood has been linked to such factors as physical inactivity caused by long periods of TV watching. Over one third of overweight children carry obesity into adulthood, thus increasing their risk of developing cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Reducing childhood obesity through l interventions aimed both at obese children and their parents (i.e., provision of information about nutritional value of food stuffs and accurate labelling of products) l introduction of health promotion activities, which encourage physical activity at home and in schools l education of clinicians to identify overweight children and advise on weight reduction measures 3.4 Childhood infections Infections in early childhood are common and often preventable. It is estimated that at least 2 million children die each year from infections for which vaccines are available. In those who survive, infectious diseases may lead to chronic disorders in later life, which can result in premature death. This is due to both the persistence of the pathogen in the body and the structural and functional impact of infection on the human body. Numerous studies have shown that respiratory infections in childhood may determine susceptibility to chronic bronchitis in adult life; children with poor lung growth before birth are particularly affected. These harmful effects are later magnified by adverse adult life style factors, such as smoking and indoor pollution. Diarrhoeal disease, while often preventable, is common in children, particularly in developing countries. WHO estimates that nearly 20% of